MEXICO — The Region 9 board Wednesday night discussed ways to ensure that a sufficient number of students continue to enroll in vocational programs.

The Program Committee, which had met prior to the board meeting, proposed that a survey of Region 9 instructors be circulated in an effort to discover methods that can be used in support of the vocational programs.

“We want to get more involved,” Program Committee member Sally Arsenault of Hanover said.

Although the enrollment numbers are about the same this year as in previous years, several matters are at issue.

One is that two of the three sending high schools require all students to earn 24 academic credits in order to graduate in the Class of 2014. Then there are some potential scheduling problems, particularly at Telstar High School, because of preliminary plans to establish a school within a school.

Bethel representative Lynn Arizzi said Telstar Principal Dan Hart, who had once served as student services coordinator at Region 9, encourages his students to enroll in a vocational program.

Rumford representative Frank DiConzo suggested that one or two Program Committee members meet with the principals of Telstar, Mountain Valley and Dirigo high schools to discuss the opportunities available at Region 9.

Region 9 Director Brenda Gammon said such a discussion could take place in the future, but for now, she wants to see ideas by her teaching staff of how to increase enrollment.

In a related matter, student services coordinator Cheryl Ellis said about three-quarters of the 15 students enrolled in the vocational school’s new fire science program are from Telstar Regional High School in Bethel.

Adult education director Nancy Allen said the enrollment procedure for adult academic classes has been changed to include a commitment on the part of the student.

She said up to 100 such students sign up for academic classes that could lead to earning a diploma or GED drop out before the required number of learning hours has been reached.

Now, each individual will be interviewed, assessed and learn of the responsibilities and resources available prior to beginning classes.

In other matters, Gammon released a report on the status of former students who graduated from high school in June that showed that a vast majority of those contacted are either working or enrolled in a college program similar to the program they completed at Region 9. Thirty-three graduates were contacted. Eighteen could not be located.

Also on Wednesday, Gammon said contractors are expected to investigate roof leaks at the school and an odor coming from the Adult Education office on Friday.

The board also approved combining sick and personal days into leave days for all teaching staff.